What must leaders do according to Situational Leadership Theory?

• A. Provide rigid guidelines
• B. Provide guidance (what/how to do tasks) and be flexible/adaptable
• C. Focus only on rewards
• D. Avoid changing style

Answer: (B)

Situational Leadership Theory centers on tailoring leadership to the follower’s readiness, which means the leader provides the right amount of guidance and support and stays flexible as things change. The key idea is that you don’t use one fixed approach; you diagnose how capable and motivated a person is and adjust how you lead accordingly. When someone is new or uncertain, you give clear directions on what to do and how to do it and stay closely involved. As competence and confidence grow, you shift toward more support and eventually delegate responsibility. This flexible, guiding approach—offering direction about what and how to do tasks while adapting to the follower’s development—best captures what the theory teaches. Rigid guidelines, focusing only on rewards, or resisting changes in style don’t fit because they ignore the need to match leadership to the learner’s current needs and growth.